Moving to Nashville, TN

Are you planning to make a move to the fun and exciting city of Nashville, Tennessee? If you are planning a move to take advantage of a promising job opportunity or are looking for a great place to raise your family, Nashville is the place. The city is known for its popular tourist attractions, an abundance of job opportunities, and its active nightlife.

Nashville Weather Patterns

Summers in Nashville are filled with sunshine, but they can be hot and muggy. Luckily, almost all places you visit will have air conditioning so that you can easily step inside to get away from the heat. There are also a number of partly cloudy days, which can give you a slight break from the intense sunshine.

You will see a fluctuation during the winter months, which can be significantly colder and wet. On average, temperatures range from as low as 31 degrees in the winter to up to 90 degrees in the summer. The ideal times of year to take advantage of the outdoor attractions and the best weather are from May through June and August through October. You will also see the largest number of visitors during these times of year.

A wet season of about five months spans from March through August with an average chance of rain slightly above 30%. The dry season lasts for seven months with an average probability of rainfall slightly under 20%. Even though the weather varies, temperatures are pleasant much of the year, allowing you to take advantage of all the activities the area has to offer.

The History of Nashville

The area of Nashville was first settled by the Mississippian Native Americans who occupied the area between 1000 and 1400 AD. They were known as mound people and were well-known for raising corn and designing beautiful pottery. These individuals mysteriously disappeared from the area around the 1400s. Next, the territory became a hunting ground for the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Shawnee.

The first European settlers to the area were French fur traders who established a trading post in the early 1700s. The settlement was created in the late 1700s, and it rested along the banks of the Cumberland River. As the area grew, Fort Nashborough was constructed to protect the settlement. At the end of the century, the state became the 16th state in the United States and it saw a prosperous period until the outbreak of the Civil War.

Following the Civil War, the city saw tremendous growth in population as well as business, industry, and education. At this time, country music began to grow in the area. By the 1900s, the area opened the Grand Ole Opry and became positioned as "Music City, USA." It is now home to many famous landmarks including the Nashville Public Library, Sommet Center, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Nissan Stadium.

Nashville Living

To many outsiders, Nashville may seem like a country music town filled with honky-tonks and trucks. This impression does little to show the actual diversity of the city, which includes all walks of life. While Nashville is known as the home of country music, not all residents are country music fans, and you can find musicians and bands in almost any genre you enjoy listening to. You'll find more shows, clubs, and events than you could possibly attend. This variety will allow you to find the right entertainment to suit your needs.

The city is also known for a number of great hangouts from coffee shops and bowling alleys to restaurants and underground clubs. In the city, you will never be bored or looking for something to do to pass the time. The city is also known as the place to score some great deals with the Nashville Flea Market at The Fairgrounds Nashville and a number of thrift and antique stores throughout the city.

One drawback of the city is the traffic, and you will likely have to navigate this traffic at some time during your stay. Once you get used to how the roads connect, you will be traveling like a pro.

Nashville's Hottest Neighborhoods

The neighborhoods in Nashville are as diverse as the city and reflect the personality and lifestyles of the residents who live there. While you'll find many great neighborhoods in and around the city to put down some roots, some of the hottest and most popular neighborhoods around the city include the following:

Germantown

One of the oldest neighborhoods in the area received a recent facelift and is now one of the most up-and-coming communities in the city. The area of Germantown in Nashville is known for its tree-lined streets, multipurpose buildings, and new restaurants. You can easily walk to the downtown area when you want to pick up items at the nearby farmers market or spend a date night at one of the upscale eateries such as City House.

East Nashville

East Nashville used to be considered a rough area in the city, but it is now a hot market for real estate. The area is known for its single-family homes and its makeup of small neighborhoods contained within. Both the East End and Lockeland Springs have seen major renovations, and many 2,000-square-foot cottages with beautifully landscaped yards are used as either family homes or vacation rentals.

The Gulch

The Gulch is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in the area. When you walk through the community, you will see high-rise condos and large apartment complexes. The neighborhood is also known for its convenient location close to dining, retail, and entertainment venues. You'll also find local grocery stores close by for shopping. Leave your car at home and beat the traffic.

Sylvan Park

Sylvan Park is another neighborhood that has seen great resurgence. The area is located between Charlotte Park and West End Avenue, making it only a short distance from the downtown area. The neighborhood is close to the local hospital and is known for its fantastic school districts, entertainment, community center, and family-friendly restaurants. You'll find Sylvan Park an excellent area to raise a growing family.

12 South

The 12 South area was originally known as a transition neighborhood but is now known for its bustling growth. The mix of homes and storefronts is an ideal location for first-time homebuyers and those with young children. You'll find a fantastic mix of historic homes and new construction to create a unique vibe. It is also known for being within walking distance of many of the popular spots in town.

Best Schools in Nashville

The Nashville area is home to many amazing school districts known for a high level of diversity, top test scores, college preparation, and an abundance of extracurricular activities. You'll also find a strong mix of public schools, charter schools, and private schools depending on which education path you wish your children to embark on.

Some of the top elementary schools in the area include:

• Merrol Hyde Magnet School
• Kenrose Elementary School
• Clovercroft Elementary School

Top-rated middle and high schools in the area include:

• Kensington Woods Schools
• Valor Collegiate Academies
• Hillsboro Middle School
• Central Magnet School
• Brentwood High School

Nashville Job Forecast

The job growth in the Nashville area has been consistently strong throughout the years. It is known as a massive hub for health care with employers such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Community Health Systems, and Saint Thomas Health, which employ thousands of residents in the city. The city is also home to a number of small businesses and is an attractive place for entrepreneurs. Many of the small businesses are women-owned and millennial-owned companies.

The average salary in Nashville is only slightly lower than the national average and is around $47,000 per year. Those looking for employment can find many large companies outside of health care that employ many area residents, including the human resource company Randstad, Nissan North America, the insurance company Asurion, and The Kroger Co.

Public Transportation

With three connecting interstates, the most common mode of transportation in the Nashville area is by personal car, and the downtown area provides plenty of parking spaces to accommodate drivers. Even though most of those who live in Nashville rely on their vehicles, a number of modes of transportation exist throughout the city.

The Metro Transit Authority provides regular service between the airport and the downtown area seven days a week. The authority also offers intercity transit and transportation from the city to the outlying suburban areas. You can enjoy a circular ride around the downtown area for free on the Music City Circuit, while the paid Green Circuit shuttles passengers between the downtown area and The Gulch. The Blue Circuit is also a popular line for taking people to popular destinations such as the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

Another popular way to get around the city is through the local taxi service. Cabs are available from the airport and throughout the downtown area. If you aren't a fan of cabs, you can also utilize one of the many ride-share programs available from apps on your phone such as Lyft and Uber.

The fast mode of public transportation that can take you between Lebanon and downtown Nashville is the Music City Star commuter rail, which features six stations along the route. Trains operate Monday through Friday with late hours on Friday nights.

Festivals and Fun

In a city known for fun, it comes as no surprise that Nashville has plenty of festivals and events throughout the year no matter where you enjoy food, music, activities, or cold brews.

CMA Fest

CMA Fest is one of the most popular events in the city. The festival includes impressive live performances of all your favorite country artists, meet and greets, and other artist events. The festival was created to raise money for music education programs across the country so that all children have the opportunity to bring music into their lives.

Music City Hot Chicken Festival

One of the hottest events during the month of July is the Music City Hot Chicken Festival held in East Park. You will enjoy one of Nashville's most well-known dishes from a number of chefs around the local area. Remember that when you're in Nashville, the hotter, the better. Be sure to grab a cold beverage to wash down the food.

InterNASHional Food Crawl

Organized by the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, the InterNASHional Food Crawl is the festival to enjoy some great food, celebrate diversity, and enjoy some fun festivities for the family. You will enjoy a variety of cuisine from around the world with close to a dozen restaurants participating each year.

Music City Food + Wine Festival

The Music City Food + Wine Festival was the brainchild of Nathan and Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon and world-renowned chef Jonathan Waxman. The festival brings together the country's top chefs and a variety of beer, wine, and spirits. These fun-filled three days feature judging panels, showcases, food, fun, drinks, and cooking demos.

Tomato Art Fest

Hosted each year in the Five Points area in East Nashville, the Tomato Art Fest is a day of family-oriented fun. The event is a costume-friendly activity and includes tomato-themed games, contests, a parade, tomato tastings, artwork, music, and a host of children activities.

Green Hills Park Festival

Want to find a great event that offers fun for the family? Explore Green Hills Park which features some of the area food trucks, beer and wine vendors, a local shopkeepers' booth, and a Nashville bike rodeo with an obstacle course. At the conclusion of the event, you can enjoy a family-friendly movie.

Nashville Cuisine

 

Music is not the only thing to love in the city of Nashville. The area is also known for some of its amazing cuisines. Much of the most popular offerings in the city are based on traditional Southern favorites. While the area is well-known for its traditional barbecue, some of the other must-try dishes include:

• Hot Chicken: Hot chicken is one of the dishes that Nashville has become famous for. The chicken is sauced in cayenne pepper and deep fried to create a spicy and tasty twist on a Southern classic.
• Meat and Three: When you ask for meat and three, you can expect a classic meat staple such as brisket, country-fried steak, ham, or meatloaf paired with three sides such as mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, collard greens, or mashed potatoes.
• Biscuits: Biscuits and gravy is a staple in the South, and this dish is not for breakfast only. In Nashville, you can choose to have your biscuit naked, smeared with jelly and jam, or smothered in sausage gravy.
• Belle Meade Bourbon: The charcoal-mellowed whiskey is a signature drink in the Tennessee area. In the Prohibition era, it was one of the most popular whiskeys on the market and has recently seen a resurgence.
• Fruit Tea: The South is known for its sweet tea, but the Nashville area steps it up a bit. Locals take a sweet tea base and add a little fruit flavor such as pineapple, orange, or lemonade.
• Fried Pickles: In Nashville, you don't simply have fried pickles for an appetizer. They also come on hamburgers or as a side for sandwiches and wraps.
• Catfish: When ordering catfish in Nashville, it is best to try it fried with a side of hush puppies or fries.

Fun Facts You Might Not Know About Nashville

The Nashville area is home to a rich history and culture which makes it a fun place for visitors and residents. Some fun facts you may not know about the area include the following:

• Nashville is named in honor of Francis Nash who was one of only a few generals killed in the American Revolution.
• The Battle of Nashville was one of the greatest tactical victories of the Union Army during the Civil War.
• The Presbyterian Church in the downtown area is an example of the Egyptian Revival style in America.
• Nashville got its musical start with the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in the 1870s.
• Maxwell House coffee got its start as the blend offered at Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville.
• Nashville is home to the Goo Goo Cluster candy bar which was created in 1912.
• Starting in 1925, the longest-running country show, The Grand Ole Opry, got its start as WSM Barn Dance.
• RCA Studio B, located on Music Row, displays red, blue, and green lights every year in honor of Elvis Presley's Christmas album. Elvis had the studio put up lights while recording the album to get everyone in the spirit.
• The capitol building in Nashville is the oldest building in the United States. After the architect died during its construction, his body was entombed in the north facade.
• The city is home to the only full-scale replica of The Parthenon, located in Centennial Park.
• Music venues in the city that feature four or more live shows a night are allowed to display a special sign shaped like a guitar pick.
• Nashville is home to some of the most famous racing horses including Iroquois, War Admiral, Seabiscuit, and Secret.

Things to See and Do in the City of Nashville

 

No matter what your preference of activities, you'll find much to see and do in and around the city of Nashville. While the activities in the city are too many to list, some of the most popular stops for locals and tourists alike are the following:

The Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame was designed to preserve the history of American country music. It started out in a small basement in 1964 and has now expanded to a large museum with a collection that has close to 2.5 million artifacts such as musical instruments, films, cars, and costumes. The museum received its funding from the Country Music Foundation and is located in the downtown area of Nashville. Visitors to the museum can enjoy a tour of all the various exhibits, videos, radio broadcasts, and audio soundtracks as well as multiple live performances.

Ryman Auditorium

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Ryman Auditorium is a massive live performance venue that has more than 2,000 seats and was home to the weekly performances of the Grand Ole Opry from the 1940s through the 1970s. Originally sponsored by wealthy businessman Thomas Ryman, the facility is often referred to as the Carnegie Hall of the South and was home to such famous acts as Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini, Will Rogers, and Helen Keller. It was also the site of the inauguration of three state governors.

The Parthenon

The Parthenon is located in the center of Centennial Park and now operates as an art museum. As a full-scale recreation of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, it was originally designed for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Due to its popularity with visitors, it was left up after the expo and has become a major landmark ever since. The original idea behind it was that famous educators wished to turn Nashville into an educational beacon, much like Athens was in ancient Greece. The site also features a 42-foot reproduction of the statue of Athena.

The Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry started as a one hour a week show that was dedicated to the sounds and history of country music dating back to 1925. As the popularity grew, the show expanded into a four-hour show which featured weekly acts including folk and gospel singers, bluegrass acts, and comedy shows. It quickly became a live-entertainment phenomenon that attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers.

The Grand Ole Opry first started in the Ryman Auditorium, but it soon outgrew the venue and moved to a bigger building known as the Grand Ole Opry House. The building has recently hosted shows with some of the biggest names in country music such as Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Dixie Chicks, and Dolly Parton. Not only can visitors enjoy a show, but they can also enjoy one of three tours. The tour options are the Backstage Tour, the Post Show Tour, and the VIP Tour. With some tours, you can walk through the artists' entrance to view the dressing rooms and find out what happens when you step behind the curtains.

Belle Meade

The Belle Meade Mansion was built in 1820 by John Harding and consists of 30 acres of what was a successful plantation in the 1800s. The grounds contain a dairy, stables, slave quarters, and a carriage house, all open to tourists. Before the property became a plantation, the area was home to native tribes and European settlers that used an old Natchez trail as a trade route. The original purchase made by John Harding was for 200 acres of hunting grounds where he cultivated the land set up a cotton gin, vineyards, a sawmill, and a blacksmith shop.

After enjoying some success, Harding expanded his interests into thoroughbred breeding and racing. By the late 1860s, he owned over 3,500 acres. By 1906, the home and all of the horses were sold at auction. It passed through several owners and was known to produce multiple racing champions.

The Johnny Cash Museum

The legendary Johnny Cash was born in 1932 and became one of the most influential musicians of the century. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Hall of Fame. He sold more than 90 million records and was also known for his rebellious facade. Even though he was considered somewhat of a rebel, he also was known for spreading goodwill, including performing for free in many prisons, including the famous Folsom State Prison.

The Johnny Cash Museum is a tribute to the musician and all of his works. It includes an extensive collection of memorabilia designed to take visitors to the museum through his life. Both visitors and locals agree that the museum captures the spirit and the visions of the musician through a wide collection of music and artifacts.

Moving to Nashville

Nashville has become a popular place for people to transplant in recent decades and for good reasons. Before you make the trek, below are a few items that you should know before you make your move.

The Neighborhoods Reflect Their Residents

Since all neighborhoods in the city of Nashville are seeing rapid growth, each area is beginning to take on the characteristics of many of the residents who live there. You'll find neighborhoods with extremely diverse ethnicities such as Hermitage, Donelson, Antioch, and Bellevue. East Nashville is a popular city-like landscape that attracts hipsters and entrepreneurs. The West End is home to many college students who go to Vanderbilt University.

The City Is Extremely Diverse and Welcomes Immigrants

Nashville has had a long history of welcoming people from all ethnicities and nationalities, especially those who were under duress in their own country. Almost two-thirds of the American Kurdish population resides in Nashville, accounting for over 10,000 people. Whether it is people who want to break into the music world or those escaping the dangers of their own country, Nashville has always been a place to welcome everyone who comes to the community.

The Minor Leagues Can Be as Fun as the Majors

The city is home to popular pro teams such as the Nashville Predators and the Tennessee Titans, but a minor league team exists, as well. Watching The Nashville Sounds is a popular fun night out for the family that won't set you back a fortune. The minor league team is known as a farm team for the Milwaukee Brewers. You never know when you may see some of your favorite players called up to the big leagues.

Take Advantage of the Many Green Spaces

The city of Nashville is known to be the home of many parks. Making sure they are available to everyone is a top priority. You'll also find plenty of trails for those who love hiking, biking, or jogging. In addition, many events and fundraisers take place throughout the year to help preserve the parks and improve them.

The Locals Don't Hound Celebrities

Some of the most famous names in country music call Nashville home. In Nashville, locals treat celebrities just like they would treat everybody else. This welcoming attitude helps allow famous faces to blend in and enjoy their community without the risk of constant hounding. If you see a celeb at your local grocery store, don't ask for an autograph or snap a bunch of pictures. All you need to do is smile, say hello, and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

People Are Friendly and Help Their Neighbors

Many people in Nashville are happy to welcome newcomers and tourists and take pride in the fact that many people say they wish they lived there. People are friendly, and neighbors care about each other's well-being. They are always happy to lend a hand and keep you updated on the latest community events. If you frequent your local neighborhood stores, the employees will be sure to remember your name and greet you warmly each time you arrive.

The Term 'Trailer Trash' Is Reserved for a Delectable Dessert

If you are in the mood for a tasty ending to a meal or a way to cool off after a hot summer day, you can stop by The Pied Piper Creamery where you can enjoy many unique flavors of ice cream including the famous Trailer Trash. The delightful concoction is filled with every good thing you could think of, such as Oreo cookies, M&Ms, peanut butter, cereal, Butterfingers, and coffee.

No matter what is drawing you to the city of Nashville, this community is definitely the ideal place to call home. With ample job opportunities, an active nightlife, top-rated schools, and plenty of recreational activities, you will definitely find something for everyone in and around the city of Nashville, Tennessee.